The Seoul Star Cluster, Krent Empire, a military planet.
On the surface, this is a military fortress planet that maintains the fleet and produces warships. In reality, it is the headquarters of Krent's Secret Strategy Department. The Secret Strategic Department is a secret agency of Krent, carrying out missions that cannot be seen in the light of day.
Sensitive operations such as funding DarkStar and contacting the Fallen Ark are the work of the Secret Strategy Department.
The Secret Strategy Department has extremely high security clearance. Its members can only be responsible for their own tasks and cannot access information about other operations from the database. The garrison on this planet is not only a disguise but also a means to prevent members of the Secret Strategy Department from betraying and leaking secrets.
The Secret War is entirely under the jurisdiction of the War Realm and is not subject to Krent's instructions. Although Krent does not directly intervene in the War Realm on the surface, he secretly conducts some clandestine operations through the Secret Strategy Department, thereby influencing the Secret War.
Sending the DarkStar Leader with the Sorokin's avatar to exile Black Star was an operation spearheaded by the Secret Strategy Department, which believed it was a sure thing. However, they were shocked to receive news that the DarkStar Leader had gone missing. They were filled with regret and urgently convened a meeting to discuss how to handle the situation.
"The exile operation failed. The worst outcome would be that the DarkStar's men fall into Black Star's hands, exposing their relationship with us. We must immediately erase all traces of our connection with DarkStar."
"Black Star might not see the truth. We've already instructed DarkStar's people that no matter the circumstances of his capture, he must take full responsibility. Everything was his own doing; no one instructed him. He won't implicate Krent; he knows the consequences."
"We can't afford to take chances. We must prepare for the worst. Black Star is extremely shrewd and suspicious. He'll definitely become suspicious of DarkStar and the Sorokin avatar, and connect it to us. Besides, this isn't the first time he's framed us. Even if DarkStar's people don't say anything, he can still fabricate evidence to frame us. I know him too well!"
"Yes, Black Star is very likely to do that. He has no integrity and is a dangerous person who will stop at nothing. We must make the Ministry of Foreign Affairs insist that this is slander. We absolutely cannot admit that we have any cooperative relationship with DarkStar and the Fallen Ark. It's all fabricated. We must deny it to the death."
At this point, a member added:
"There's another matter. Temporarily halt all assassination attempts against Black Star. The success rate is too low. Even the Sorokin's avatar couldn't defeat him. Without Beyond Grade A individual's personal intervention, it's unlikely Black Star can be dealt with. Moreover, after this battle, Black Star will undoubtedly be more vigilant, making another opportunity unlikely."
The team quickly finalized the report and submitted it to higher-ups. The attack plan had backfired, and there was no use in regretting it; they could only try their best to remedy the situation and minimize the losses.
Who knew even the Sorokin couldn't handle Black Star!
Goddora Civilization's home planet, government building.
Supreme Leader Serre V was working at his desk, reviewing documents, when his private communicator received a communication request and vibrated.
Serre V glanced at it, his eyes lighting up; it was Black Star calling.
His private communicator uses a highly secure, locked line, allowing only very important people to contact him directly; Han Xiao was one of them.
"Lord Black Star, what is it?" King Serre V got straight to the point. He was extremely busy and didn't think Black Star was calling just to chat.
"I've captured the fugitive DarkStar Leader and am preparing to hand him over to you, but I need to meet with you in person," Han Xiao said.
Serre V was taken aback, then abruptly stood up. "You caught him?!"
The escaped DarkStar Leader had always been a worry for him, and he worried every day that DarkStar would make a comeback. He never expected that Han Xiao would suddenly give him such a big surprise.
A dozen days later, Han Xiao piloted his spaceship back to the Black Star headquarters in the Garton Star System. Harofal left halfway there to report on the problems at the observation station.
At this moment, the large dock of Black Star headquarters was bustling with noise and crowds. Serre V and his guards were waiting early. Beside him was the envoy of the Amethyst Civilization. Around them were countless reporters from interstellar media, who were kept out by the guards and kept taking pictures. Further out were mercenaries who had come to watch the spectacle.
Many reporters whispered among themselves.
"What does it mean that Amethyst and the people of Goddora are welcoming Black Star together? Why were we sent here to report? Is there some big news?"
"Who knows? I heard this was a press invitation issued by Amethyst. Although they didn't say why, who would dare to refuse? They must have something to announce and wouldn't let us make a wasted trip."
The interstellar reporters present were all invited and did not know what they were supposed to report on, but because of Amethyst's reputation, no one dared to refuse.
Moreover, the location was the headquarters of the Black Star Army. Everyone felt that once Black Star was involved, it would definitely be a big news story with news value. So, although they were kept in the dark, their enthusiasm was quite high, and they were secretly curious about what the news was.
Gathering reporters was Han Xiao's request. He planned to turn the handover of the DarkStar Leader into a sensational news story to increase his influence and make the blame-shifting more effective. After contacting Goddora, he also contacted Amethyst.
The Amethyst faction was startled by the news of the Sorokin's avatar, but was relieved to see that Han Xiao was unharmed.
Upon learning of Han Xiao's intentions, Amethyst immediately gave their full support. They were willing to give their all to any plan to deal with Krent, so they took the initiative to invite various interstellar media to witness the handover ceremony of the DarkStar Leader, but kept it a secret beforehand.
Han Xiao piloted his spaceship to a stop at the dock, and all eyes turned to him. Everyone subconsciously held their breath, as if a freeze-frame had been pressed, and the scene became completely silent.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the hatch opened, and Han Xiao stepped out, only then did the clamor, like a tidal wave, rise again.
Serre V and the envoy from the Amethyst Civilization quickly went to greet Han Xiao and spoke with him, while the interstellar reporter began recording the entire conversation.
Borick mingled in the crowd, his gaze occasionally falling on Serre V. As a spy for DarkStar, he harbored no goodwill toward Goddora's current supreme leader. He suppressed his hatred, trying not to let others notice.
Han Xiao exchanged a few words with Serre V, glanced at the interstellar reporters around him, smiled slightly, and said, "Let's get down to business first."
He looked back at the hatch, where two Oathkeeper appeared, escorting the dejected DarkStar Leader.
All eyes immediately fell on the DarkStar Leader, their eyes filled with confusion, astonishment, and bewilderment—many people did not recognize the DarkStar Leader.
At this moment, King Serre V wisely spoke up, loudly announcing, "This man is the DarkStar Leader who has been on the run. We, the Goddora, have devoted a great deal of effort, but we have been unable to capture this ringleader. This time, thanks to His Excellency Black Star's assistance, we have captured this serious criminal. On behalf of Goddora, I thank you for your help!"
After saying this, he bowed slightly to Han Xiao.
As the supreme leader of a civilization, expressing gratitude to Han Xiao on behalf of the entire civilization instantly ignited the astonishment of the surrounding crowd, causing an uproar!
"That's the DarkStar Leader?!"
"So this is the day we're transferring this fugitive. No wonder they asked us to report here."
"The leader of Goddora actually came to hand over the reins in person; the Black Star Army has quite the grand entrance!"
Serre V continued, "The DarkStar Organization has plagued Goddora for a long time, causing the deaths of countless citizens. We will publicly try this vicious thug and bring justice to all the citizens of Goddora... I hereby declare the DarkStar Organization annihilated!"
Some of the Goddora in the crowd couldn't help but cheer upon hearing this.
Borick was stunned, staring blankly at the dejected DarkStar Leader. His legs went weak, and he almost knelt down. He trembled violently, unable to believe what he was seeing.
He had been silently waiting for the DarkStar Leader to contact him, waiting to advise the leader not to deal with Black Star, but he never expected that the leader, who had disappeared for several years, would become Black Star's prisoner the first time he appeared.
What's the point of me infiltrating the Black Star Army then?
All that work was for nothing!!
Borick was stunned, as if struck by lightning; his mind was in complete disarray, and he was utterly dumbfounded.
The interstellar reporters were invigorated. The supreme leader of Goddora personally announced the complete annihilation of the DarkStar Organization, signifying that Goddora had finally eradicated its nemesis, which was indeed big news.
However, they didn't expect that this was just an appetizer; what was even more shocking was yet to come.
"My encounter with the DarkStar Leader this time was not an accident. Please take a look." Han Xiao said, as nanoparticles transformed into a small, suspended sphere in his palm, forming a projection in the air.
Everyone looked over and saw that it was a recording of Han Xiao fighting against the DarkStar Leader.
The mech's tactical analyzer recorded the battle. Han Xiao felt that the video was more effective than words, so he simply released the recording.
Everyone was shocked as they watched the DarkStar Leader summon an avatar of Sorokin. At this moment, Han Xiao added, "According to the data, the person summoned by the DarkStar Leader is an avatar of the Lord of the Fallen Ark."
The Fallen Ark!
Every star system knows of this power's infamous reputation. How could DarkStar be associated with this notorious force?!
Everyone was horrified.
The reporters suddenly realized something and looked at Han Xiao in a daze.
Black Star was assassinated, yet he's standing here unharmed. Doesn't that mean Black Star survived a Beyond Grade A attack?
Once this was understood, the room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and countless shocked and astonished eyes focused on Han Xiao.
Although the Shattered Star Ring has been known for its reputation as Han Xiao Grade A seed for the past few years, everyone knows that he is not a true Beyond Grade A and is far behind Beyond Grade A such as Tyrant and Dragon Emperor.
The various factions simply acknowledged Black Star's dominance at the Calamity Grade level and its future potential; no one believed that Black Star could currently be compared to these genuine Beyond Grade A.
However, Han Xiao has now released a video of himself fighting Beyond Grade A opponent, and he actually survived!
The reporters present trembled with excitement, hurriedly recording the projected video shown by Han Xiao. The Black Star members who had come to join the fun also had their eyes light up. The stronger their leader was, the more promising their future seemed.
Han Xiao didn't release the entire recording, omitting the final wormhole trip and cutting out parts, not revealing some of his key abilities, but this was enough to boost his reputation.
Seeing the reporters' excited expressions, Han Xiao knew he should strike while the iron was hot and gave the Amethyst Envoy a wink.
The Amethyst Envoy, understanding the situation, stepped forward and announced loudly, "According to our investigation, we have discovered that the DarkStar Leader is not acting alone; he is being directed by someone. Our search of the map revealed that Krent had been secretly in contact with the DarkStar for a long time. We suspect that Krent may be secretly supporting the DarkStar's actions and disrupting the security of the Colton Star Cluster. Therefore, on behalf of Amethyst, I announce our intervention in this matter and will join forces with Goddora to interrogate the DarkStar leader!"
This statement caused an uproar throughout the room!
The interstellar reporters present were no longer just excited, they were completely stunned. This last piece of news was far more explosive than the previous two!
If what Amethyst said is true, then it means that Krent has been funding DarkStar to destroy civilizations and is suspected of having connections with the Fallen Ark. Naturally, the suspicion will fall on Krent!
This is a taboo subject for three major cosmic civilizations!
The capture of the DarkStar Leader Implicated such a huge secret!
At this moment, these reporters knew that this report would definitely cause a sensation throughout the entire star system!
Krent is going to be in big trouble this time!